Electrospun Composite Nanofiltration Membranes for Arsenic Removal

Area of Science:

• Materials Science and Engineering
• Environmental Science and Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Mixed matrix nanofibrous membranes are increasingly important for water treatment.
• Arsenic contamination in water poses significant health risks, necessitating effective removal strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize polysulfone (PSf)-based composite nanofiltration (NF) membranes incorporating graphene oxide (GO) and zinc oxide (ZnO).
• To evaluate the performance of these membranes for arsenite (As(III)) and arsenate (As(V)) removal from water.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of PSf/GO and PSf/ZnO mixed matrix NF membranes via electrospinning.
• Characterization using SEM, USANS/SANS, contact angle, zeta potential, BET, FTIR, XRD, and XPS.
• Performance evaluation for pure water, As(III), and As(V) rejection under varying pressures.

Main Results:

• Incorporation of GO and ZnO reduced fiber diameter and increased membrane porosity, hydrophilicity, and negative surface charge.
• PSf membranes with 1% ZnO exhibited the highest water permeability.
• PSf/ZnO composite membranes showed significantly enhanced arsenite removal (71%) compared to pristine PSf membranes (43%), but similar low arsenate removal (27%).

Conclusions:

• PSf/ZnO composite membranes demonstrate improved properties and superior arsenite removal capabilities.
• These findings highlight the potential of mixed matrix NF membranes for targeted arsenic species removal in water treatment.